Air flights boost Special Needs kids at airport

Published 6:07 pm, Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Special Needs children and their families will again take to the skies on Saturday as the Challenge Air Fly Day lands at Lone Star Executive Airport in Conroe.

Founded in 1993 in Dallas by the late Rick Amber, the former U.S. Navy fighter pilot was wheelchair bound following an accident, and came upon the idea for Challenge Air, inviting a group of Dallas area disabled kids to join a disabled pilot (himself) for a flight over the Dallas skyline. Seeing the enormous psychological impact on the physically challenged kids, Challenge Air was born.

“We take Special Needs kids and their family members up in an airplane and let them fly,” organizer Victoria Croston said.

Each child is afforded a chance to sit in the front cockpit alongside the airplane pilot (and joined on the flight by a family member) where they are coached in briefly piloting the airplane in mid-flight. Once back on the ground, each pilot awards the child their wings.

“It’s a self-esteem building event,” Croston said.

“It can change the lives of a child if they have a disability.”

One hundred and ten physically challenged children soared over Conroe skies last year piloted by 27 different pilots in 31 different airplanes. Each of the pilots volunteer their time, fuel and airplane.

“The child can’t be so physically handicapped that they are not aware they are getting into an airplane,” Croston said.

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Participation is free. Volunteers help physically challenged children and young adults (aged 7 to 21) receive an educational ground school, a 30-minute air flight and light-hearted entertainment including: face painting, circus clowns and cheerleaders.

Participants and their families must register on-line before the Saturday event. Croston said said there are no plans to host the Challenge Air Fly Day in Conroe next year.